Choosing a Gorilla Family Group to Trek

Choosing a Gorilla Family Group to Trek

When it comes to choosing a gorilla family group for trekking in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Parks, Mgahinga National Park, and Volcanoes National Park, trekkers often wonder which group offers the simplest tracking experience. Rwanda has recently raised its gorilla permit fee from USD 750 to USD 1500 per person per trek, while Uganda has increased its permit cost to USD 700 per person per trek. Given these changes, travelers are keen on making the most of their gorilla tracking experience by opting for the most accessible gorilla family group. Choosing a Gorilla Family Group to Trek

During each gorilla trekking day, a traveler is assigned to one specific family group, usually within a group of eight people. The allocation of these gorilla families is carried out by the respective authorities and park management, considering various factors. While travelers can express their preference for a particular gorilla family, the final decision lies with the park management, who ensures a fair and reasonable allocation.

In Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park, the habituated mountain gorilla families are divided into four sectors: Ruhija in the east, Buhoma in the north, Nkuringo, and Rushaga in the south. Together, these sectors make up the vast expanse of this impenetrable forest. Each morning, the allocation of gorilla families and pre-trekking briefings are conducted, where essential guidelines and regulations are also communicated. Choosing a Gorilla Family Group to Trek

Why are gorillas allocated on the very day of trekking?

On the day of gorilla tracking trekkers are allocated gorilla families to trek. the changeable movement of the mountain gorillas from one place to another place makes it difficult to allocate them. Knowing the movements of the mountain gorilla through groups of trackers or park rangers at the end of each day, hiking into the forest to follow up where different gorilla families will sleep, and again going too early in the morning to check on them and communicate back to the headquarters about the spot of mountain gorillas families and them it is after this confirmation of the place that park management send who to trek which Gorilla family depending on the physical abilities of the trekkers and the location of the Gorilla family.

You should keep in mind the following factors ahead of choosing a gorilla family to trek. Choosing a Gorilla Family Group to Trek

Availability of gorilla permit

Reflect on the availability of the Gorilla permits for the gorilla family group you intend to trek. This gorilla permit is a key that will allow you to see the mountain Gorillas and enjoy time with them in their natural homes. A gorilla family has 8 permits availed to eight clients. Once all permits are booked, you cannot trek that gorilla family. Travelers are therefore reminded to ask about Gorilla permit availability and choose a gorilla family depending on the availability of Gorilla permits. The price of gorilla permits changes in each country costing USD 1500 in Rwanda and USD 700 in Uganda.

Gorilla trekking is the top wildlife experience in the wild choosing a Gorilla family group to trek of your choice gives you back the best Gorilla tracking experience –book a gorilla safari to Uganda and Rwanda with safari vacations and travel services come meet face-to-face and enjoy this remarkable adventure that occurs in a lifetime.

The location of your accommodations

Selecting a gorilla family group to trek near your lodge/hotel of your accommodation is so important. It saves you the worries of waking up early and it makes the transfer distance from that lodge/hotel to the Gorilla trekking starting point trekkers who trek gorillas in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park are advised to book the gorilla permits depending on the location of their residing places. Luckily enough, each sector has budget accommodation, mid-range, and luxury facilities that serve travelers with forest food and sleeping services.

However, one can sleep in one sector and do the trekking in another sector, though it is actually a very hectic experience and it always happens due to the availability of Gorilla permits at the time of booking. The long drives between regions can leave travelers exhausted even before they start trekking, which is not a good experience. So, it’s recommended for travelers to select gorilla family groups near their lodges. This makes the transfers to and from the trekking areas easier.

The location of the mountain Gorillas

The traveler has to be informed of the location of the gorilla family he/she wants to trek as some travelers read gorilla families on the internet and end up mistaking those gorilla families of Rwanda and Uganda. On the first hand, you should learn and understand which gorilla families living in Rwanda or Uganda. If one chooses to trek in Uganda, one knows which Gorilla groups and the sectors they live in such as Ruhija in the East, Rushaga and Nkuringo in the south of Bwindi forest, and Buhoma in the North and Rwanda in the volcanic national park families as, Kwitonda family which is the biggest group in Rwanda, other groups include Muhoza, Sabyingo, Susa, Umubano, Hirwa, Agashya And Amahoro.

Physical fitness

Guides or park rangers encourage travelers to communicate their level of physical fitness, which plays a crucial role in determining the gorilla family group allocated for trekking.

To ensure a good match, gorilla trackers can assign tourists to a suitable gorilla family.

Gorilla hikes are classified into three categories: short, medium, or tough, depending on how difficult it is to find the gorillas. There are gorilla families in areas that are easy to reach, and there are also families that live in higher altitudes, which means a more difficult trek.

If visitors are not as physically fit, they are given shorter gorilla treks. On the other hand, if visitors are in better physical condition, they might be recommended to visit gorilla families in remote areas.

However, it’s important to note that the gorillas’ locations are subject to change. Failing to communicate one’s physical abilities to the tour guide may hinder the trek’s success in reaching the mountain gorillas.

Elderly individuals are typically directed to easier-to-find gorilla families, while younger, more physically fit individuals may trek to higher altitude areas.

Safari Vacations and Travel Services offers reliable information to assist in selecting the desired gorilla family group for trekking. They also facilitate the booking process, ensuring a seamless experience. For further details, do not hesitate to reach out to them.

Safari Vacations and Travel Services designs itineraries in Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC with over 10 years of experience and we are proud of our reputation for executing some of the most highly-rated vacation experiences. Our local consultants plan your preferred itinerary using expert ground knowledge. We take care of all the local logistics like permits, accommodation, and transport. Also, manage your entire trip, from start to finish with other services like car hire services.

For inquiries, advice on how to plan for this safari, booking the hiking permits; organize transport and accommodation, get in touch with safari vacations and travel services, we help you to avoid inconveniences after landing for the safari.